Sound Advice: Another earbud bargain and small speakers with big sound

Don Lindich, Tribune News Service on Nov 6, 2024

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Q. I missed out on the $39 earbud deal you wrote about recently. Any other recommendations?

—P.C., Kansas City, Missouri

A. That was for the EarFun Air 2 NC earphones. I now have an even better EarFun recommendation for you, the flagship $89.99 EarFun Air Pro 4. You can now get them in the black color for $59.99, only $20 more than the Air 2 NC sale price. The Air Pro 4 has been called "the best budget wireless earbuds on the planet" and the sound quality and active noise cancellation are competitive with earbuds that cost up to $300. Some reviewers have mused you don't need to spend more than $100 on earbuds given the Air Pro 4 exists, which makes them even more compelling at $59.99.

You can save $30 on the black color (white not included in the sale) with the promo code save30 at myearfun.com to make them $59.99. I think they are easily worth the extra $20, and they will make you very happy!

Q Acoustics M40 wireless speakers make high-end sound simple: Building a truly great-sounding audio system can be an expensive, complicated affair. System-building makes for good subject matter for the column, but some readers find putting together a stereo intimidating. I recently tested a product that makes building a first-class audio system very simple, at a price that amounts to a breakthrough.

I have been a fan of British audio manufacturer Q Acoustics for years, and their products have been universally praised for their performance and value. At only 28 inches height the Q Acoustics M40 wireless mini towers don't take up a lot of space, and the small size means they are easy to place without getting a lot of interference from your room's acoustics. A switch on the back adjusts the output of the speakers to match the distance from the back wall. Each speaker has a 100-watt amplifier built-in and the fit and finish is exemplary. In addition to the wireless Bluetooth there are wired digital and analog inputs so you can use the speakers with a television, game console, CD player or turntable.

I was gobsmacked as I went through a number of tracks to evaluate the sound quality, which is simply and utterly fantastic. The tonality, detail, solid bass response, richness and overall musicality will make you swoon, no matter the kind of music you are playing through them. They also sound much bigger than they are, both in the overall output and the size of the soundstage. To get this kind of performance typically costs way more than $999, and requires a lot more effort in choosing components and setting up the system. The thought that came to mind was "high-end audio made simple." Readers who have wanted a really fine audio system but didn't want to spend a small fortune, run wires everywhere or buy a lot of components are really going to love them.

If the M40 speakers were basic, unpowered speakers at $999 a pair I would be recommending them just as enthusiastically given the sound quality and small size. Given they are wireless and include high-quality amplification, the value equation cannot be overstated. Very highly recommended, and I imagine in the future I will be hearing from readers who love them just as much as I did! You can see them at qacoustics.com, and soon I will be featuring an excellent $349 Bluetooth turntable that will match up perfectly to complete a wireless vinyl system.

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